Button-machine.



No. 791,094.. I .PATENTED MAY 80, 19-05.

W. H. HARGRAVESf Y BUTTON MACHINE.

APPLIOALIION FILED we; so, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

W H. HARGRAVES.

BUTTON MACHINE.

APPLIOAIION FILED AUG. 30, 1904.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2 PATENTED MAY 30, 190 5.

AVES.

HINE.

W. H. HARGR BUTTON MAG VIII/IIII/A I I I Patented May 30. 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM H. HARGRAVES, OF ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

BUTTON-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 791,094, dated May 30,1905.

Application filed August 30, 1904. Serial No. 222.714.

To all whom it may concern;

Be itknown that I, WILLIAMH.HAReRAvEs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Allentown, in the county of Lehigh and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inButton-lVIaehines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in button-machines.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character bywhich parts ofa button may be assembled and covered.

A further object is to provide a button-machine having means wherebycovering is supplied to one button simultaneously with the securing ofthe shank to another button by a single stroke of the lever, thusfacilitating the process of finishing the buttons.

A still further object is to provide a machine of this character withwhich buttons from the smallest to the largest size may be made, meansbeing also provided whereby various styles of shanks may be appliedsuch,for instance, as wire eyelet-shanks, prongs, or nails the machine beingalso capable of applying a variety of styles of covering, such as cloth,leather, or sheet metal.

Still another object is to provide a machine of this character whichwill be simple in construction, strong and durable, easily operated, andwell adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts,as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointedout in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front, elevation of abutton-machine constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is aside elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail fragmentary view of the die-carryingshaft, showing the means whereby said shaft is revolved. Fig. 5 is aplan view of one of the lower dies. Fig. 6 is a vertical transversesectional View through the upper and lower die-blocks, showing a buttonshell and covering in the lower die in the position they would assumebefore the dieblocks have been brought together. Fig. 7 is a similarview of the same parts after the die-blocks have been brought together.Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the upper andlower die-blocks after the same have been raised again and the upperdie-block automatically turned to bring the covered shell over theclenching-die, a shank being in place on the lower member of theclenching die to receive the covered shell when the die-blocks are againbrought together. Fig. 9 is a similar view of these parts after the dieshave been lowered and the button shell and shank clenched. Fig. 10 is adetail horizontal sectional View through the standard of the machine onthe line 10 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of thedie member used in forming buttons having prong-shanks, and Fig. 12 is asimilar view of a prong-shank used in connection with the die member, asshown in Fig. 11 for forming prong-shank buttons. Fig. 13 is a detailperspective View of the spring guide-plate for firmly holding thedie-carrying shaft to bring the dies together in perfect alinement.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes a base-plate,which may be of any suitable size and shape and having formed on itsfront and rear sides apertured ears or lugs 2, whereby the same may beattached to any suitable support. On the rear portion of the plate lissecured an upwardlyproject ing supporting-standard 3, the upper end ofwhich is bifurcated and projects forwardly over the front portion of theplate 1 and has formed therein bearings 4, in which is mounted ahorizontally-disposed power-shaft 5. One end of said shaft projectsbeyondone side of the standard and has secured thereto an operatinghandle or lever 6. On the shaft 5 between the bearings 4 is secured asleeve 7 on which are formed radially-projecting cams 8 and 9.

On the front side of the standard 3 are formed upper and lowerhorizontally-disposed forwardly-projecting bearing-plates 10 and 11.

In one side of the plates and 11 are formed vertically alined bearingapertures 12, through which reciprocates a vertically-disposeddie-carrying shaft 13. o the sides of the plates 10 and 11, adjacent tothe shaft 13, is removably secured a plate 14, on which is formed aninwardly-projecting guide-block 15. In the front face of the block isformed a vertically disposed semicircular guideway or channel 16, inwhich the shaft 13 is adapted to slide. On the guide-block 15 oppositetothe plate 14 is removably secured a cam-plate 17, on the forward edgeof which is formed an extension 18, which is bent or curved around theouter side of the shaft 13 adjacent to the underside of the plate 10.The lower edge of said extension 18 curves upwardly, thereby forming acamsurface 19, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Theshaft 13 is provided with a horizontally-disposed hole, in which isslidably mounted a short pin or bolt 20, the projecting end of which isadapted to engage the cam-surface 19 of the extension 18 when said shaftis moved upwardly, thereby causing said shaft to be rotated. In orderthat the pin or bolt 20 will be projected through and beyond the shaft13 at the proper time to engage the cam-surface of the extension 18, acam-lug 21 is provided. Said lug is removably secured to the front sideof the block 15 between the outer edge of the plate 14 and the shaft 13,whereby when said shaft is lowered the end of the pin or bolt willengage the cam-surface of the lug 21. thereby forcing the opposite endof the bolt or pin through and beyond the opposite side of the shaft 13and in position to engage the cam-surface 19 when said shaft is raised.Removably secured to the outer edge of the plate 14 is a curved shieldor guard-plate 22, the upper edge of which is shaped to conform to thelower cam edge or surface of the extension 18.on the cam-plate 17. Saidedge of the guard-plate 22 is spaced from the cam edge 19, therebyforming a slot 23.

Secured to the forward edge of the plate 14, between the same, and theguard-plate 22, is a thin metal plate 14*, havingformed on its inneredge an offset portion 14 at the lower outer corner of-which is formedan in wardly-bent spring-finger 14, which projects inwardly into thepath of downward movement of the pin or bolt 20 and is engaged by saidbolt while the latter is being pushed through to the opposite side ofthe shaft, thereby holding said shaft firmly against all rotary orturning motion during the rest of its downward movement, therebybringing the die-block carried by said shaft into perfect workingengagement with the lower dieblock.

The shaft 13 is preferably hollow or pro- Vided with a bore 24, whichopens at the lower end of the shaft and is normally closed by means of aflanged or shouldered cap 25, which is adapted to be 'screwed onto thelower threaded end of said shaft and which is prevented frombecomingunscrewed by means of a setscrew 26. In the lower end of the cap 25 isformed an aperture 27, through which is adapted to pass a rod or bar 28,above which and within the bore 24 is disposed a spiral spring 29. Saidspring is adapted to normally push the rod or bar 28 outwardly, therebyforcing the lower end of the same into engagement with a stud-shaft 30,which is seated in the base 1 immediately below and in line with theshaft 13. In the base around said stud-shaft 30 is formed an annularrecess 31, into which is adapted to project the lower end of a spring32, which is coiled around said stud-shaft.

On the reduced end of the cap 25 is adapted to be secured an upperdie-block 33, said clieblock being provided with a centrally-disposedaperture within which the said end of the cap is inserted. A set-screw34 or other suitable holding device is employed to hold said dieblock inplace upon the cap. Near each end of the upper die-block 33 are formedvertically-disposed apertures 35, in which are arranged the uppermembers 36 of a pair of dies. Said upper members consist of acylindrieal bar, the lower ends of which are slightly concaved, as shownat 37 In one side of each of the die members 36 is formed a channel 38,which extends to within a short distance of the upper and lower ends ofthe same and which is adapted to receive the inner end of set-screws 39,which pass through apertures in the side of the die, and thereby preventthe dropping out or loosening said upper members of the die. On thelower side of the extreme outer ends of the die-block 33 are formeddownwardly-projecting lugs 40.

The lower die-block 41 is provided with a vertical centrally-disposedaperture 42, by which the same is adapted to be engaged with the upperend of the stud-shaft 30 and to rest on the coil-spring 32 arrangedthereon. In the extreme outer end of the die-block 41 is formedvertically-disposed screw or bolt holes 43. The upper portions of thebolt-holes 43 are of somewhat larger diameter than the lower portions ofthe same, thereby forming a shoulder. Attaching-screws 44 are adapted tobe passed through the apertures 43 and to be screwed into engagementwith threaded holes formed in the base-plate 1, thereby slidablyconnecting said lower die-block with the base of the machine. The saidlower die-block 41 rests upon the upper end of the coil-spring 32, whichis arranged around the stud-shaft 30 within the recess 31.

Near each end of the lower die-block 41 are formed vertically-disposedapertures 45 and 46, the aperture 45 having at its upper end an annularenlargement 47 and in said aperture is adapted to be inserted theplunger member 48 of one of said dies. In the aperture 46 near theopposite end of the die-block a1 is arranged a shank-receiving die 19,which is in the form of an apertured cylindrical block and has formed onone side thereof a verticallydisposed groove. Said groove extends tonear each end of the block and is adapted to receive the end of aset-screw 50, whereby said block is prevented from dropping out of theaperture 4:6. The upper end of the die member 49 is slightly concavedand is adapted to receive the shank to which the shell to which thecover of the button is adapted to be applied. The die member 49 isadapted to lie immediately below one of the die members 36, which arearranged in the upper die-block 33.

In the bearing-plates 10 and 11 at one side of and adjacent to the shaft13 is slidably mounted a clenching-plunger 51. On said plunger isarranged a coil-spring 52, which is held in confinement by a pin 53,which runs through said shaft and the upper side of the lower plate 11,thereby normally forcing the clenching-plunger upwardly or retracting itfrom engagement with thedie members. The clenching-plunger has formed inits lower end a threaded aperture or bore 54:, which is adapted toreceive the threaded stem of the die-operating head or hammer 55. Saidhammer 55 is adapted to be connected to the lower end of saidclenching-plunger by means of said screw threaded connection. On thethreaded stem of the head 55 is arranged a jam-nut 56, which when saidhead has been adjusted to its proper position may be screwed up intoengagement with the lower end of the plunger 51, and thereby hold saidhead against rotation. The head 55 is provided with atransversely-disposed aperture, to which is adapted to be inserted asuitable tool,whereloy the same may be turned. The jam-nut 56 isflattened on its opposite sides to form 'a wrench-engaging surface,-whereby the same may be turned.

The arrangement of the cams which operate the shaft 13 and plunger-rod51 is such that when the lever or handle is operated the cam will carrythe shaft 13 and plunger 51 and the die-block down to their lowestpoint,

the cam 9 holding the die-block shaft and.

die-block down until the cam 8 has forced the clenching-plunger down andclenched the button, this being necessary in covering both a large and asmall button. If otherwise, in covering a very small button, the shellbeing thin, it would clench before the cloth is turned under. Attentionis also called to the automatic reversing mechanism for shaft 13 and theupper die-block, to wit: The cam-surface of the extension on thecam-plate 17, that is engaged by the sliding-pin which is forced throughto the opposite side of the shaft by the inclined lug 21 at eachrevolution and downward movement of the shaft, thereby placing the endof the pin in such position that the same will engage the cam-surface ofthe cam-plate, so that when said shaft is forced upwardly or retractingby the spring within the same the end of the pin will strike saidcam-surface and ride around the same, thus revolving the shaft andreversing the position of the ends of the upper die-block.

From the front side of the standard 3 projects a stud 300, which isprovided with a cushion 301 at its outer end. As the upper die-block israised by the shaft 13 and partly rotated during the upward movement ofsaid shaft the said upper die-block comes in contact with the said stud300, the latter serving to prevent excessive rotary movement thereof. InFigs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings the shaft 13 and the upper die-blockare shown in an intermediate position; but it will be understood that asthe upper die-block reaches the upper limit of its upward movement it isin such position as to be engaged by the said stud 300.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the inventionwill be readily understood without requiring a more extendedexplanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the principle orsacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a die-shaft,guide-bearings therefor in which said die-shaft is adapted toreciprocate and to revolve, a radially-movable pin carried by saiddie-shaft, a guide engaged successively by the opposite ends of the saidpin, a cam effective upon one end of the pin when the said shaft movesin one direction to move said pin radially and project the opposite endthereof beyond one side of the said shaft, and a cam coacting with saidprojected end of the pin to partlyrevolve said shaft when the lattermoves in the reverse direction, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a die-shaft,guide-bearings therefor in which said die-shaft is adapted toreciprocate and to revolve, aradially-movable pin carried by saiddie-shaft, a guide engaged successively by the opposite ends of the saidpin, means coacting with said pin to prevent lost lateral motion thereofin said guide, a cam effective upon one end of the pin when the saidshaft moves in one direction to move said pin radially and project theopposite end thereof beyond one side of the said shaft, and a camcoacting with said projected end of the pin to partly revolve said shaftwhen the latter moves in the reverse direction, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a die-shaft,guide-bearings therefor in which said die-shaft is adapted toreciprocate and to revolve, a radially-movable pin carried by saiddie-shaft, a guide engaged successively by the opposite ends of the saidpin, aspring coacting with said pin to prevent lost lateral motionthereof in said guide, acam effective upon one end of the pin when thesaid shaft moves in one direction to move said pin radially and projectthe opposite end thereof beyond. one side of said shaft, and a camcoacting with said projected end of the pin to partly revolve said shaftwhen the latter moves in the reverse direction, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a button-machine, the combination with a base having securedthereto, an upwardly-projecting standard, a hollow reciprocating andrevolving die-carrying shaft, a retracting-rod slidably mounted in thelower end of said shaft,-aspring arranged in the latter to engage saidretracting-rod, thereby forcing said shaft upwardly, means whereby saidshaft is revolved when forced upwardly by said spring, aspring-retracted clenchingplunger slidably mounted on said standard,means whereby said hollow shaft and clenching-plunger are projected, anupper die-block carried by said shaft, a lower die-block yieldinglysupported on said base-plate and coacting die members arranged in saiddie-blocks, substantially as described.

5. In a button-machine, the combination with a base having securedthereto an upwardly-projecting standard, a spring-retracted shaftmounted in said standard, a horizontally-disposed pin slidably mountedin said shaft, a cam-surface arranged on said standard to be engaged bysaid pin thereby revolving said shaft, a cam-lug adapted to be engagedby the projecting end of said pin after said shaft has been revolved,thereby forcing the opposite end of the pin out of the opposite side ofsaid shaft, means for projecting said shaft, an upper die-block fixed onthe lower end of the latter, a lower die-block yieldingly supported onsaid base-plate, coacting die members carried by said blocks, andclenching mechanism adapted to be operated simultaneously with saiddie-shaft, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM II. HARGRAVES.

IVitnesses:

F. S. MERTZ, CHARLES S. Swan.

